Security and fashion solar lamps without extraneous current source

ABSTRACT

A solar light device is provided which is activated at the onset of darkness, which self-charges with solar energy and is independent of any source of energy. The solar light device includes a luminescent layer of foil which is operated by solar cells or a solar cell laminate. At least one accumulator is providing for accumulating energy from the solar cells. Control system electronics regulates the charging and discharging process of the least one accumulator and controls operation of the luminescent foil. The luminescent foil serves to increase visibility and thus safety or visual attractiveness.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a Security and Fashion Solar Light based on asolar-driven device, thus independent of external sources of energy,which thanks to an activated luminescent layer of foil increasesvisibility and thus safety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As situations are always arising in traffic, or when catastrophes occur,or in dangerous places of work or very secluded places, where it is veryimportant to be seen, there is a need for a device to provide lightwithout any effort on the part of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves this problem by providing a solar lightdevice which is activated at the onset of darkness, which self-chargeswith solar energy and is independent of any source of energy. The solarlight device includes a luminescent layer of foil which is operated bysolar cells or a solar cell laminate. At least one accumulator isproviding for accumulating energy from the solar cells. Control systemelectronics regulates the charging and discharging process of the leastone accumulator and controls operation of the luminescent foil. Theluminescent foil serves to increase visibility and thus safety or visualattractiveness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a circuit diagram; and

FIG. 2 shows an example in practice of a solar light device according tothe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, the solar light device in accordance with thepresent invention includes solar cells 4 which are mounted on a lightingelement 2, which is preferably a movable layer of luminescent foil.Preferably, the solar cells are in the form of a solar cell laminate.The solar cells 4 are used to produce energy and to feed theaccumulators 5 which are also bound together to larger or smalleraccumulator packs 5 depending on their purpose. The accumulatorsaccumulate the energy from the solar cells 4.

Control system electronics 6 regulates the charging and dischargingfunctions of the accumulators 5. According to a first embodiment, a snapswitch or key-button 1 gives the control system electronics 6 theimpulses to set the lighting element 2 into operation. Depending on thepurpose, it makes sense to automate the switch-on operation. In thiscase, the lighting element 2 is activated with the help of one or morephotocells 3 which, at the onset of darkness, give the control systemelectronics 6 the impulse. As in the sketched example, key-button 1 andphotocell 3 can also be used in combination. The lighting element 2 ismade up of a hard or flexible luminescent layer of foil which can beselected in different colors depending on the signal function.Preferably, the luminescent foil is electro-luminescent foil. Thanks toflexibility in the field of energy production as well as the source oflight using laminates and also a choice of different colors and shapes,fashion aspects can also be considered, and thus the invention can alsobe used in the commercial fashion trade. In particular, the solar lightdevice may be applied to all outer clothing, helmets, headgear of allkinds, protective and working clothes, costumes of all kinds,school-bags, rucksacks and bags of all kinds, toys and baby-strollers.It may also be applied to collars for animals as well as protectivecovers, fashion capes and cuffs for people and animals. The solar lightdevice according to the present invention may also be applied as afinish for land, sea or air vehicles, as well as on signs and signals intraffic, in the mountains and on ships as well as on other exteriorsignposts.

The principles, preferred embodiments and manner of use of the presentinvention have been described in the foregoing specification. However,the invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construedas limited to the particular embodiments described. Further, theembodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative ratherthan restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others, andequivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all suchvariations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit andscope of the invention be embraced thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. A solar light device which is activated at theonset of darkness, which self-charges with solar energy and isindependent of any source of energy, comprising: a hard or flexibleluminescent layer of foil; solar cells or a solar cell laminate foroperating the luminescent layer of foil; at least one accumulator foraccumulating energy from the solar cells; control system electronics forregulating the charging and discharging process of the at least oneaccumulator and for controlling operation of the luminescent layer offoil, the luminescent layer of foil serving to increase visibility. 2.The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the solar cell laminateor solar cells include a hard or flexible layer of foil, and the solarcell laminate or the solar cells are mounted on the hard or flexiblelayer of foil.
 3. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidcontrol system electronics includes a control element for operating theluminescent layer of foil, the control element being designed as a snapswitch, key-button and/or photocell.
 4. The device in accordance withclaim 1 for increasing the safety for all outer clothing, helmets,headgear of all kinds, protective and working clothes, costumes of allkinds, school-bags, rucksacks and bags of all kinds, toys andbaby-strollers.
 5. The device in accordance with claim 1 for increasingthe safety for collars for animals as well as protective covers, fashioncapes and cuffs for people and animals.
 6. The device in accordance withclaim 1 for increasing the safety or also as a finish for land, sea andair vehicles.
 7. The device in accordance with claim 1 for increasingthe safety of signs and signals in traffic, in the mountains and onships as well as on other exterior signposts.
 8. The device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the luminescent foil iselectro-luminescent foil.